The previous version of the midsize luxury SUV had good ratings in the moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint evaluations, but was never put through the challenging small overlap test. Introduced in 2012, the test replicates what happens when the front corner of a vehicle collides with another vehicle or an object like a tree or utility pole.

The 2016 MKX aced the small overlap test, with maximum intrusion of 4 inches at the lower door hinge pillar. The dummy's movement was well-controlled. Its head hit the front airbag and stayed there until rebound, and the side curtain airbag deployed with sufficient coverage to protect the head from contact with the side structure or outside objects. Measures taken from the dummy indicated a low risk of injuries in a real crash of the same severity.

The redesigned model's optional front crash prevention system earns a perfect score in IIHS track tests. The vehicle avoided a collision in both the 12 mph and 25 mph tests. It also has a forward collision warning component that meets National Highway Traffic Safety Administration criteria.

To qualify for Top Safety Pick+, a vehicle must have good ratings in all five crashworthiness tests and an available front crash prevention system that earns an advanced or superior rating.

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The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is an independent, nonprofit scientific and educational organization dedicated to reducing the losses — deaths, injuries and property damage — from crashes on the nation's roads.

The Highway Loss Data Institute shares and supports this mission through scientific studies of insurance data representing the human and economic losses resulting from the ownership and operation of different types of vehicles and by publishing insurance loss results by vehicle make and model.